Missing the APG Museum? View some memorabilia at Aberdeen Room

Aberdeen and Harford County is missing one of its most popular tourism facilities. At this time, the former APG Ordnance Museum is closed and may not reopen as a new APG Museum.

This is a terrible loss for both the post, Harford County and the world. Since the mid 1970s, the beautiful facility entertained and educated children and adults from around the world. It is estimated that as many as 200,000 visitors went through its doors each year.

The local community in Aberdeen helped build the museum financially. Many family names appear on a brass plaque at the entrance. As far as we know, none of those families were informed that the world-famous museum would no longer be open. Sad, sad, sad!

We at the Aberdeen Room Archives and Museum served on a committee to help plan a new museum in the same APG building, with local history. We met monthly, and were invited to speak to the large group of government employees who also served on the committee. We were making copies of materials to be used at the new museum.

Fortunately, some of the first volunteers at the Aberdeen Room at 18 Howard St. in Aberdeen were retirees from APG, and had collected unclassified memorabilia, photos and publications from APG over the years. They donated these items to the museum and they are filed and displayed in exhibits. We may have one of the largest collections of APG history available to the public.

On a brighter note, the Aberdeen Room is open an extra day every week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The Aberdeen High School Class of 1949 meets on each Tuesday of the month. Serving on the committee are Virginia Jacobs, June Gamble, Pat Keen and Ed Killick. You may get more information by calling Ed, 410-272-2165.

The AHS Class of 1969 is planning a 45th reunion next year and will start meeting in the fall on the first Saturday of the month at the Aberdeen Room. There will be more information in this column later.

News from the Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce, at 18 Howard St., is the Community Yard Sale on Saturday, Sept. 14 from 7 a.m. to 1p.m. The chamber says it's time to clean out your closets, and everyone is invited to participate. Space sizes are 10-by-20 feet for $15, and 20-by-20 feet for $25. Truck and trailer is a 20-by-20 charge and must be disclosed prior to the event. Spaces are limited, so pay online at http://www.aberdeencc.org or contact Jeanette, 410-272-2580. Food vendors will be announced.

The Aberdeen Senior Center is busy with an ice cream social today (Friday) from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. with music by Chuck Fisher.

The Senior Council will meet at the Senior Center at 7 Franklin St. at 10:30 a.m. on July 15.

On July 16, the Diabetes Support Group will meet at 9:30 a.m. at the Senior Center.

On July 18 there will be bingo from 10 a.m. to noon for seniors.

On July 19, the Senior Center will have a Veterans Discussion Group from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m.

July 22 is the deadline for ordering produce boxes and the boxes will be distributed on July 29.

The people at the Aberdeen Senior Center are very friendly and helpful. Seniors are invited to come on over to 7 Franklin St., just off of Aberdeen's Festival Park. Please call at 410-273-5666 for questions about the Book Discussion Group that will meet on July 26 at 10:30 a.m

The Harford County Department of Community Services is inviting nominations for Harford's Most Beautiful People Awards." Each year, they conduct a search for local "unsung heroes" who selflessly assist those around them. They are volunteers of any age whose acts of goodwill have previously gone unnoticed. Nominations are being accepted through Aug. 30.